Tuesday, June 29, 2010

we had a great day at the fair this year!kelsey, kenz, brandon, masyn, nolan and i all headed down to del mar to spend the day at the fair. the weather was great. overcast and cool. not too cool, just perfect.

our first stop was to see the farm animals. nolan LOVED the pig. that's him pointing at it. i LOVED the baby sheep (aren't they so stinkin' cute!) kenzie was hoping to see some bunnies, but no luck and instead we got a kick out of the turkeys. the two in the picture were irritated with eachother and they got all fluffed up over nothin' i'm sure. masyn was surprised at how big the cows were. they are just so cute. nolan liked the birds but not enough to hold one, so kelsey did. and of course, the tractors were a HUGE hit!

after the barn yard, we headed up and over to the kid zone, which btw the big kids really like just as much! masyn wasn't too thrilled about the decision to go on the ferris wheel, but she was a trooper and did. i told her to just keep her eyes shut. {good job masyn!} nolan wasn't to sure about it either until i showed him all the trucks lined up ready to race and then he hollered for jake and gavin the whole time. it was cute. the big slide made masyn feel like the big kids. she and brandon made the hike up all those stairs to ride down the huge slide on a carpet. the caterpillar, the maze house, the cars and seeing an old friend made for a great time.

at one o'clock we headed over to watch jake race in tuff trucks. derek and abe were racing too. we ran into bub who was there as part of jake's pit crew. needless to say, that was the boys favorite part of our day. gavin could barely keep nolan in his seat and thank goodness it was loud in there or else nolan's screaming would have embarrassed all of us! jake did well, i was super nervous, hoping he wouldn't crash and he didn't. he did however lose his drive shaft making the jump you see below. they were able to fix it for the second race.

the end of the day was spent in the "fun zone".we cracked up at all the deep fried food. seriously, you name it and it's deep fried.the 'big kids' went on some rides, we avoided the carnival games, face painting, and kettle corn {because kenzie is addicted} and had a great time checkin' out all the people.

it was a GREAT day.

p.s. check out the guy in the last collage behind the kids...he's picking his nose. i thought that was funny...

Monday, June 28, 2010

together, mackenzie and i (and masyn, when she wants too) are gonna make mondays mmm, mmm, good!!!

and on a side note...

i sent kenz home to bake two loaves. one was intended for grandpa tony who loves homemade bread (...who doesn't!), although when brandon took a bite and realized how good it was he ate an entire half of the loaf. i guess grandpa won't be getting any.

my loaf is officially gone, and i am in the process of baking another for shawn.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

my dear friend margi, sent my a link to this fantastic blog and these stinkin' cute cupcakes! there is a fantastic tutorial on how to make them, so give it a shot. after my 'not-so-great' experience with the yarn ball cupcakes i'm a little hesitant, but they are too darn cute not to give it a whirl.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

my niece likes QUILTING!thursday was our sewing day and i taught my niece and masyn how to make this really cute picnic quilt. we got the whole top done during evyn's nap time. seriously!mackenzie did such a great job at keeping her 1/4" seam. i was so proud!!! masyn sewed a few pieces together and then got bored so i finished the rest. i can't wait to quilt them next week and show you both quilts.

at four months our sweet girlis sleeping through the night, all comfy and cozy in her cradle!is really enjoying the taste of her big toes!is rolling front to back and back to frontis starting to suck her thumb rather than the whole fistis trying with all her might to scootLOVES her daddystill takes 2 loonnggg naps each dayhas the heart of all around herrarely criesalways smileslaughs at nolan {and then gets the hiccups}loves to watch the tvloves 'old' country music {according to shawn}is simply wonderful!!!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

this summer i decided to teach the girls {my niece and masyn} how to bake, cook, and sew. i certainly have a lot to learn myself, but i can teach them the basics...yesterday we made the {best} sugar cookies ever! i wanted to teach her some tricks i've learned to make decorating with royal icing easier. we also made cupcakes with {fancy frosting}. thursday we'll start a picnic quilt. yeah!!!

i'm looking forward to weeks filled with fun, hangin' out with {2} cute girls that i love.

here's the recipe for

The BEST sugar cookies EVER!

Sugar Roll Out Cookies:Cream:1 c. butter1c. white sugar

Add:1 egg2 tsp. vanilla3 tbsp. evaporated milk

Mix in:3 c. flour1 1/2 tsp. baking powder1/2 tsp. salt

Roll out dough between two sheets of wax paper. Place in fridge or freezer until firm. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Frost after the cookies have cooled completely. Bake at 350 for 7 minutes. If the cookies are really big and thick you may have to cook them a bit longer. putting a sheet of parchment paper on the cooking sheet first helps reduce a burnt cookie.

see these adorable yarn ball cupcakes. PERFECT gift for my mother-in-law's birthday. i was so excited when i saw them here, that i ran out and bought everything i needed to make these cute knitting needles and yarn balls...

i pulled out the {ever so popular} gorilla glue

skewers, wood plugs, the special tip i needed to make the {yarn}, etc.

the knitting needles, with a bit of practice turned out {ok} except that somehow i got gorilla glue on my forehead and {let me just say} don't try to scratch it off or if you do you'll take off skin...

needless to say, my forehead was a bit dry and crackly for a while.

now for the cupcake. UGH!!!

they didn't exactly turn out as i hoped. i tried SEVERAL times. MANY times. trying to make stupid {yarn}.

so after many failed attempts, a forehead with gorilla glue, a big stinkin' mess and unknown frosting all over the arm rest in my car {don't ask} i gave up and made inka cookies instead.

just thought i'd share this with you, so you could get a good laugh.

like i told mackenzie {my cute niece and baking partner} it may not always work out, but at least it's entertaining...

p.s. i will be trying again and again until i get those darn yarnballs down...

Sunday, June 20, 2010

happy father's day honey!thank you for being a great father, a great husband and a great friend!we are all better because of you and are grateful for your love, strength, knowledge, selflessness, and hard work.

i saw this picture on another blog and thought of you...

never, concerned by what people think, you are generous with your time and talent. always there for everyone. and those who are blessed to call you "friend" are true treasures. your character and strength are our greatest blessings.

Friday, June 18, 2010

it was a sad day for masyn. she said goodbye not only to first grade but also to the friends and tachers that she loves. next year she'll be going to a different school because we will be moving this summer.

most of all she'll miss andy. her best friend and the sweetest boy. she befriended him, while helping him understand english this year. many tears were shed when she realized that he wouldn't be at school on the last day. she didn't get to say goodbye or have him sign her yearbook. oh it was so sad. mrs. garrett came through though and gave us his phone number. yeah mrs garrett!!! thank you from the bottom of this mother's heart!

there were a lot of up's and downs this year. the up's were the award ceremonies, family movie night, the jog-a-thon, great teachers and their helpers, good report cards that reflected her hard work and desire to learn all her sight words and a school carnival.

the downs...mean girls who can be so nasty, even at the young age of six and meaner boys who laughed at her when she would make mistakes. it was a rough beginning, but then andy came along and everything got better. she just needed a good friend...

don't we all!

on the last day if school, the kids and parents walked to the park and played, ate pizza and cake and had a great time. i even got to meet the infamous dr bob whom is loved so very much by my sweet daughter. i've heard the feeling is mutual. boy is he a nice man!

i don't do change real well and i shutter at the thought of moving the kids to new schools, but i know that life is in the Lord's hands and i am but a vessel. so we will venture into new territory with a smile and a kind heart and everything will be just as it should.

masyn, you have the kindest heart and the sweetest spirit. your friendship is the greatest gift you can give someone. you are loved so deeply by so many and i know you will make great friends at your new school. keep up the good work and keep reading & writing. your awesome!

the picture above is taken from, the very talented, sheryl johnson's sewing room...check out the tour on my side bar

julie isa

willing hands

Why Tattered & Willing?

because i love old tattered quilts and primitive things. they have character, they have a story, & they have been loved. willing, because we should always be willing to lend a hand to anyone who needs it. service brings joy and teaches children love and compassion. to be willing is everything and if your tattered it's because your being useful.